Back to school: Commentary

MapleLine Magazine: Aug.25, 2010 << Back to Breaking News

As the lazy days of summer wind up and families get ready to return to the regular routines of work and school, I am reflecting back on summer 2010. I hope many of you were able to take some time off from your busy lives – either traveling to a new locale or enjoying the Island and all it has to offer. We live in a beautiful place and within minutes many of us can be deep in a rain forest, splashing in the ocean, or learning about our province at one of the best museums in the world. I spent my summer doing what I love – enjoying the bounty offered at our region’s farmers’ markets, diving into the Sooke potholes and connecting with constituents. I am always impressed by your ideas and comments and hope you keep sharing your thoughts.

At the start of the summer, I had the pleasure of taking part in both the Awards and Graduation ceremonies for Edward Milne’s grade 12 class. It was great being around such extraordinary kids who do extraordinary things and I wish the Class of 2010 the best as they start this new phase of their lives.

As we enter a new school year, some of you will notice some changes. All-day kindergarten has started in 12 of our District’s schools, including Sooke, Saseenos and John Muir. The rest of the elementary schools will offer this option in September 2012. This change was mandated by the provincial government and the reaction was mixed. For families who have difficulty finding part-time child care, a full day of school solved this problem. However, our School District was unsure how to fit 600 new students into classrooms that were already over-flowing. School District 62 is one of a handful of districts in the province seeing growth yet the Minister of Education failed to recognize this fact and initially offered no additional funding to help our schools cope with increased enrolment.

I support full-day kindergarten, but for government to say it has to happen and then not provide any supports to make sure it’s a success I think is wrong. In June, after months of lobbying by trustees, parents, teachers and Opposition MLAs, the government finally admitted they were failing to invest enough in all-day kindergarten and came forward with $144 million for school infrastructure. In our District that translates into building additions or modular classrooms at 10 schools including Sooke Elementary. This is welcome news. Now, if we could only convince them to build a new high school on the West Shore.

Earlier this year I was fortunate to attend a ceremony congratulating all of those associated with the School District’s aboriginal education program which offers support and mentorship to all aboriginal students living both off and on reserves in Pacheedaht, Scia'new and T'Sou-ke, encouraging them to take pride in their culture, history and traditions. Through hard work and determination, aboriginal student graduation rates in our District are rising. Last year 68% of First Nations students achieved their Dogwood (up from 49% the year before). These results are the 5th-highest in BC and the highest among suburban districts. I look forward to attending the 2011 ceremony and celebrating even more aboriginal achievements. MM

Other Resources:

Sooke District 62 (Sooke)- District Technology Strategic Plan: Refocusing on the Digital Learner

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